Billy Conn

Harry Carpenter quizzes ex-Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson on what it takes to get to the top in the boxing ring, analysing the styles of great fighters like Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and Tyson himself.

Unable to sign boxer Joe Louis to movie contract, Republic Pictures had to make do with the losers of Louis' heavyweight championship bouts. One of these was Billy Conn, who after being knocked out by Louis in the 13th round awakened to star in the Republic programmer The Pittsburgh Kid. The story finds clean-limned pugilist Conn (playing himself) being managed by pretty Patricia Mallory.